Named interim: Dec. 3, after Sam Mitchell was fired with the Raps at 8-9Record: 21-36Chances of staying: Strong

What's the deal? He gets a pass for this season, despite missing the playoffs, for several reasons: Injuries to Jose Calderon, Jermaine O'Neal and then Chris Bosh limited what he had to work with; the trade for Shawn Marion caused a major midseason adjustment; and the team, currently riding a five-game winning streak, has been looking better lately with everyone relatively healthy.

Still, there will be a bench hiring in Toronto, and deposed Grizzlies coach Mark Iavaroni is the top candidate to become Triano's lead assistant. That might seem like an awkward coach-in-waiting situation, but Triano and Iavaroni have been friendly since working together at a European big man camp in Treviso, Italy, several years ago.

Retaining Triano also gives the Raptors a good shot at bringing back Carlos Delfino, who can get out of his Russian team contract for a mere $500,000. The Raptors still hold his restricted free-agent rights.